Preservation system for a bowling ball

ABSTRACT

A method and a bowling ball enclosure are provided for encasing and reducing temperature fluctuations of and within a bowling ball. The bowling ball enclosure includes a flexible inner vapor barrier layer and a flexible outer layer that are made of a polymer material, the inner layer forming an interior region that receives the bowling ball. The bowling ball enclosure also includes a bottom portion and a top portion, wherein the top portion is positionable from a first position to a second position to encapsulate the bowling ball. In the first position, the top portion being in an open position to receive the bowling ball into the interior region. In the second position, the top portion being in a closed position to encapsulate the bowling bowl. A bowling ball bag includes a vapor ball layer to reducing the emission of volatiles from a retained bowling ball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method forencapsulating a bowling ball to reduce temperature fluctuations of abowling ball and temperature differentials within a bowling ball so asto reduce induced coverstock cracking and core and layer separation, andto reduce accelerated resin coverstock aging through heat inducedleaching of the chemicals added to resins to impart flexibility and toreduce resin coverstock aging through the evaporative aging (drying) ofthe bowling ball coverstock so as to reduce coverstock cracking andperformance degradation.

Description of Related Art

A bowling ball is typically made up of multiple layers, such as a core,a filler, and a coverstock, wherein each layer of material has adifferent thickness and composition. Heavier bowling balls may includeadditional layers of greater density material or more layers of aparticular material. As each layer of material has a particularcoefficient of thermal expansion, each layer will expand and contract atdifferent corresponding rates, which upon exposure to a substantialchange in ambient temperature may play a role in the occasional crackingof the bowling ball. For example, depending upon the season (summer orwinter), a bowling ball may experience a temperature change of 20°F.-50° F. or greater, such as when transitioning from outdoors to “roomtemperature” or vice versa. Due to thermal expansion or contraction, thematerials of an unprotected bowling ball may not be able to tolerate thesudden disparate changes in temperature, such as between the poles ofthe bowling ball or between the core and the outside of the bowlingball, thus resulting in cracking of the bowling ball.

If a bowling ball is placed on a concrete floor such as in a basement orgarage, there is an ambient temperature difference directly contiguousto both the bottom and top polar regions of the bowling ball relative toits orientation resting on the floor. At times, there may be an ambienttemperature differential of 6° F. or greater between the top and bottompolar regions of the bowling ball. After a period of time, thistemperature gradient is directly transferred to the polar regions of thebowling ball, wherein the resulting temperature differential may causethe bowling ball to crack.

Also, as the coverstocks may now be formed of a wide range of reactiveresins, the bowling balls can have a tendency to dry through theevaporation of plasticizers, which can lead to degradation inperformance of the bowling ball and may result in cracking.

Therefore, a need exists for a system that encapsulates a bowling ballto provide thermal insulation, thereby reducing temperature fluctuationsand differentials and retaining desired softening agent levels, whileextending the life and factory-new performance characteristics of thebowling ball.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been discovered that exposure of a bowling ball to a thermalreservoir (which can be hotter or colder than ambient air temperature)can impart a thermal gradient in the bowling ball extending along adiameter of the bowling ball, such as a vertical diameter, (hereinreferred to as a polar gradient). That is, thermal strata extendinggenerally perpendicular to a diameter of the bowling ball are formed asopposed to a gradient imparted by exposure of the bowling ball to auniform ambient environment wherein equal radii generally have equaltemperature, and the temperature varies along the radius (hereinreferred to a radial gradient). It is believed the temperaturedifferential affects each layer of material in the bowling ball andespecially the outer layer coverstock creating tension from thecoefficient of thermal expansion variability between the poles.

The present disclosure addresses a discovered intolerance of a bowlingball to thermal shock and thermal gradients (and particularly polargradients), wherein the intolerance can be exacerbated when the outerresin cover, or coverstock, has experienced loss of volatiles andplasticizers and thus a shrinkage of the coverstock which in turn canincrease internal tension in the coverstock due to the evaporative agingprocess. This tendency of the coverstock to experience shrinkage andincreased internal tension is exacerbated due to the additives used incurrent polyurethane resin formulations of reactive resin bowling ballswhich create porosity from micro air pockets throughout the coverstockthereby lowering its density and structural integrity, wherein the microair pockets enhance the evaporation of volatiles from the coverstock andhence the drying process of the coverstock inherent to increased surfaceareas.

That is, oils, resin vapors, and plasticizers (volatiles) now used inthe manufacture of bowling balls to produce or promote plasticity andflexibility and to reduce brittleness can both evaporate and seep out ofthe bowling ball resin coverstock, and it has been found thattemperature fluctuations of the bowling ball can promote the evaporationand seepage. The present system provides for retaining a relatively highconcentration of resin chemicals, plasticizer, and resin vapors(volatiles) in the environment of the retained bowling ball so as toreduce the evaporation rate of the resin chemicals, plasticizers, andresin volatiles (“volatiles”) from the bowling ball. It is believed thepreservation of such resin chemicals, plasticizers, and resin volatileswithin the coverstock of the bowling ball will increase the useful lifeand performance characteristics of the bowling ball. That is, it isbelieved the creation and maintenance of a relatively high vaporpressure of each of these volatiles within the enclosure reduces theloss of the volatiles from the bowling ball, thereby contributing to anincrease in the useful life and performance characteristics of thebowling ball.

It has also been discovered that independent of the existence of a polargradient within the bowling ball, as the coverstocks now formed ofreactive resins, the bowling balls can have a tendency to dry or agethrough the evaporation of volatile molecules or plasticizers and thebleeding as well as the leaching out of plasticizers when subjected tohot seasonal temperatures, which can lead to degradation in the factorynew performance characteristics of the bowling ball affecting theengagement footprint of the contact area of the surface area of thebowling ball with the bowling lane due to an increase in hardness of thebowling ball, such as an increase in the Shore D durometer, that mayalso result in cracking.

It is also believed the coverstock of the bowling ball may be mostsusceptible to tension induced cracking from temperature differentialsbetween opposing poles of the bowling ball (polar gradient), especiallyif the bowling ball has materially evaporatively aged. That is, it isbelieved the coverstock may be susceptible to cracking from a polargradient above a predetermined level, especially if the coverstock isevaporatively aged. It has also been discovered that hardness of thebowling ball can be used as an indicator of evaporative aging of thebowling ball. Generally, as the bowling ball dries out and evaporativelyages, the hardness (durometer) of the bowling ball increases. Currentregulations require the bowling ball have a hardness of at least 72Shore D at room temperature 68° F. to 72° F. For example, new bowlingballs may have a durometer of between 73 and 75 Shore D.

However, as the coverstocks, and bowling ball, evaporatively age, thehardness increases. Thus, an evaporative aging of the bowling ball canbe assessed by the hardness of the bowling ball changing by 1.5% ormore, or by 2% or by 4% or more. That is, the hardness of the bowlingball can be used as a surrogate parameter for assessing an evaporativeaging of the bowling ball.

The present system addresses both types of thermal gradients in abowling ball. The system reduces the extent of a polar gradient byresisting the transfer of energy into or out of the ball as the energyflows within the bowling ball to equalize or reduce the polar gradient.The present system also reduces the thermal shock from an ambientenvironment by slowing the radial transfer of energy into or out of thebowling ball.

Thus, the present system encapsulates a bowling ball to provide thermalinsulation, thereby reducing radial temperature fluctuations andtemperature differentials or gradients between poles of the bowlingball, wherein the encapsulated bowling ball retains desired coverstockmoisture (volatiles) levels (or at least reducing evaporative aging),thereby extending the life and performance attributes of the bowlingball. The thermal encapsulation of the bowling ball also protects thebowling ball against degradation from secreting out resin oils andplasticizers when being subjected to high seasonal temperatures.

The present system also slows the evaporative aging of the bowling ballby encapsulating the bowling ball with a vapor barrier, such as anon-breathable Mylar® film barrier to minimize the evaporation ofvolatiles such as resin solvents, softeners and plasticizers. It isbelieved the retention of the volatiles and plasticizers in a bowlingball will prolong the as manufactured properties, such as durometer ofthe reactive resin coverstock which affects the surface area of the ballcontacting the lane surface and reduce cracking.

It is also believed that there is existing tension within the outercoverstock itself created during the curing in the manufacturing processwhich can be exacerbated or amplified from temperature differential.

Thus, in one configuration, the present system encompasses the use of aMylar® film as a tear resistant, vapor barrier for the protection of abowling ball, wherein the film not only keeps sunlight out, along withassociated radiative heating, but reduces volatiles, such as bowlingball resins and oils from evaporating and leaching out by retaining arelatively high vapor pressure of the resins and oils exposed to thebowling ball. In addition, it is contemplated the Mylar® film canprovide a strong marketing advantage by allowing ready colors andprinting, hence customization of the film and enclosure to a team, acorporation, league, sponsor or individual.

The present system also inhibits thermal shock to a retained bowlingball by substantially encompassing the bowling ball within a layer ofinsulation. In one configuration, such as when storing the bowling ballin an ambient environment that includes a thermal reservoir that has anat least 7°-10° F. temperature differential to the ambient airtemperature, the present system can employ a separate thermal resistor,such as a perforated circulating ring or insulation disk, beneath thebowling ball in conjunction with the enclosure. In one configuration,the circulating ring reduces the temperature differential between theambient air temperature and the thermal reservoir from a 10° F.differential to a temperature differential between the two polar regionsof the encased bowling ball within the enclosure to a 3.5° F.differential. The reduced temperature differential exposed to thebowling ball in conjunction with the insulation of the present enclosureallows the temperature of the bowling ball to sufficiently uniformlyrise or fall without creating a polar temperature gradient believed tobe sufficient to crack the bowling ball which has not been desiccated.

The present disclosure provides a bowling ball enclosure assemblyconfigured to encase a bowling ball and reduce evaporative aging of thebowling ball, the bowling ball enclosure assembly having a flexibleinner vapor barrier layer forming an open enclosure sized to receive thebowling ball, the open enclosure having a concave bottom to support thebowling ball; a flexible outer layer encompassing the inner vaporbarrier layer; a flexible insulation layer intermediate the inner vaporbarrier layer and the flexible outer layer; a releasable fastenerconnected to the flexible inner vapor barrier and the flexible outerlayer, the releasable fastener moveable between (i) an open positionsized to permit passage of the bowling ball into the enclosure and (ii)a closed position enclosing the bowling ball within the enclosure;wherein the flexible insulation layer encompasses at least 75% of thebowling ball in the closed position of the releasable fastener.

In one configuration, the bowling ball enclosure can further include avent port extending through the flexible inner vapor barrier layer,wherein the flexible insulation layer, the flexible outer layer, and thevent port are configured to permit the passage of air into and out ofthe enclosure.

A further configuration is disclosed wherein a bowling ball kit includesa box having an open configuration and a closed configuration, whereinthe box in the closed configuration defines an interior cubic volume ofless than 730 in3; a bowling ball having a diameter between 8.500 inches(21.59 cm) to 8.595 inches (21.83 cm); and an enclosure enclosing thebowling ball, the enclosure having a flexible inner vapor layer, aflexible outer layer and a flexible insulation layer intermediate theflexible inner vapor barrier layer and the flexible outer layer, whereinthe enclosure is configured to enclose the bowling ball and be enclosedwithin the box in the closed configuration.

A method is provided for utilizing a bowling ball enclosure to encaseand reduce temperature fluctuations and plasticizer evaporation of abowling ball, wherein the method includes providing the bowling ballenclosure, the bowling ball enclosure having a flexible inner vaporbarrier layer and a flexible outer layer that are made of a polymermaterial, the flexible inner vapor barrier layer forming an interiorregion that receives the bowling ball; a bottom portion and a topportion, the bottom portion having a concave surface for receiving aportion of the bowling ball and the top portion being positionable froma first position to a second position, (i) in the first position, thetop portion being open to receive the bowling ball into the interiorregion; and (ii) in the second position, the top portion being closed toencapsulate the bowling bowl; a flexible insulation layer intermediatethe flexible inner vapor barrier layer and the flexible outer layer, theflexible insulation layer having an upper configuration to permit theinner vapor barrier layer to contact the flexible outer layer in thesecond position of the top portion; and at least one releasable fastenerfor releasably retaining the top portion in the second position. It isfurther contemplated that one configuration can include a vent portextending through the flexible inner vapor barrier layer, the flexibleinsulation layer and the flexible outer layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide furtherunderstanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification, illustrate aspects of thedisclosure and together with the description serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bowling ball enclosure in a firstposition with a bowling ball within the enclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the bowling ball enclosure in thefirst position, with the bowling ball shown in phantom;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the bowling ball enclosuretransitioning to a second position, with the bowling ball shown inphantom;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the bowling ball enclosure in thesecond position, with the bowling ball shown in phantom;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the bowling ball enclosure in thesecond position, with the bowling ball shown in phantom;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the bowling ball enclosureincluding a thermal resistor intermediate a support surface and thebowling ball enclosure;

FIG. 7A is a plan view of a blank for forming a portion of the innerlayer of the bowling ball enclosure;

FIG. 7B is a plan view of a blank for shown forming a portion of theouter layer of the bowling ball enclosure;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational schematic of various configurations of thebottom perforated circulating ring support;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of an assembled flexible insulation layerfor retention between the inner layer and the outer layer;

FIG. 9B is a side elevational view showing a bowling ball shape,relative to the assembled flexible insulation layer of FIG. 9A,conforming about a bowling ball shown in phantom;

FIG. 10A is a blank of a flexible insulation material for forming theinsulation layer;

FIG. 1013 is a side elevational view of the blank of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C is a side elevational view of the blank of FIG. 10A in anassembled configuration or closed position of the bowling ballenclosure;

FIG. 11A is a side elevational view of the enclosure retaining thebowling ball, wherein the enclosure is in the open position and thebowling ball is shown in phantom;

FIG. 11B is a side elevational view of the enclosure of FIG. 11A,wherein a top portion of the enclosure is partly folded along a firstdirection;

FIG. 11C is a side elevational view of the enclosure of FIG. 11B,wherein the top portion of the enclosure is fully folded along the firstdirection;

FIG. 11D is a side elevational view of the enclosure of FIG. 11C,wherein the folded top portion is partly folded along a seconddirection;

FIG. 11E is a side elevational view of the enclosure of FIG. 11D,wherein the folded top portion is fully folded about the seconddirection and the releasable fasteners are engaged.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the bowling ball in the enclosurewithin a packaging box;

FIG. 13 is a top schematic view of the bowling ball within the bowlingball enclosure, and the bowling ball enclosure retained within apackaging box;

FIG. 14 is a left side perspective view of a bowling ball bag having thepresent vapor barrier layer for retaining three bowling balls;

FIG. 15 is a right side perspective view of a bowling ball bag havingthe present vapor barrier layer for retaining three bowling balls;

FIG. 16 is a schematic cross sectional view of a first construction ofthe bowling ball bag;

FIG. 17 is a schematic cross sectional view of a second construction ofthe bowling ball bag; and

FIG. 18 is a schematic of cut patterns for a vapor barrier layer,padding layer and a fabric layer for a bowling ball bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description ofvarious configurations of the present disclosure and is not intended torepresent the only configurations in which the present disclosure may bepracticed. It will be apparent, however, to those of ordinary skill inthe art that the present disclosure is not limited to the specificdetails set forth herein and may be practiced without these specificdetails.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus and a methodof providing an insulating body for encompassing at least one bowlingball. The present disclosure addresses the problems associated withtemperature variations on bowling balls, which can cause resin chemicalsto seep out of the bowling ball material and can cause materialfailures. The present disclosure also provides for retaining arelatively high concentration of resin chemicals, plasticizer, and resinvapors in the environment of the retained bowling ball so as to reducethe evaporation rate of the resin chemicals, plasticizers, and resinsfrom the bowling ball—thereby reducing an evaporative aging of thebowling ball.

It has been found that a stratified temperature gradient betweenopposing poles (poles) of the bowling ball 10 can impart a cracking ofthe bowling ball. Further, it has been discovered that depending on theamount of evaporative aging of the bowling ball, a temperature gradientof 6° F. or more between the poles may result in a cracking of thebowling ball. Thus, the present system is configured to provide thematerial of the bowling ball sufficient time for energy transfer(thermal transfer or temperature equalization) within the bowling ballwithout exceeding a cracking inducing temperature differential betweenthe poles of the bowling ball. The present system provides sufficienttime for the heat to transfer through the material of the bowling ballto maintain a safe temperature differential between opposing poles. Thatis, the insulation sufficiently inhibits the introduction (orwithdrawal) of energy (as temperature) into (and out of) the bowlingball so that any preferential/asymmetric heating (or cooling) of thebowling ball sufficiently equilibrates to maintain a temperaturedifferential (gradient) between the poles within acceptable limits—suchas no more than a 5° F. temperature gradient. That is, the bowling ballretained within the present bowling ball enclosure can sufficientlytemperature stabilize such that the polar temperature gradient remainssmall enough to avoid imparting cracking of the bowling ball.

The present system reduces the formation of polar and radial temperaturegradients in the bowling ball that could otherwise crack the bowlingball, by sufficiently inhibiting the amount of energy that istransferred into/out of the bowling ball so that thermal transfer withinthe bowling ball is sufficient to limit the polar and radial temperaturegradients to within acceptable (non-cracking) gradients.

It has been further discovered that the temperature gradient that thebowling ball can withstand without cracking depends, in part, on theevaporative aging, the amount of volatiles that have left the bowlingball, for which a surrogate measure is the change of hardness of thebowling ball. As set forth below, the present bowling ball enclosureslows the evaporative aging of the bowling ball. It is also believedthat a hardness of the bowling ball provides a surrogate parameter formeasuring an evaporative aging of the bowling ball.

As set forth above, the amount of evaporative aging (or hardness) of thebowling ball can contribute to the inability of the bowling ball towithstand polar temperature gradients without cracking. It is furtherbelieved that slowing the evaporative aging of the bowling ballincreases the polar temperature gradients that can be withstood by thebowling ball without cracking.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a representative bowling ball enclosure 100. Thebowling ball enclosure 100 may include a flexible inner vapor barrierlayer (or inner layer) 110 and a flexible outer layer 120. It iscontemplated both the flexible inner layer 110 and the flexible outerlayer can each be a vapor barrier layer, however, it is understood thatonly the inner layer needs to be a vapor barrier layer.

The flexible inner vapor barrier layer 110 and the flexible outer layer120 may be made of a polymer material. The polymer material can beselected to function as a vapor barrier which functions as a vapordiffusion retarder, a solar barrier, as well as provide strength forretaining a bowling ball 140. In one configuration, the polymer materialmay be a polyester and in certain configurations a polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) or a polyethylene, and in further configurations apolyester, biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (which performsas a vapor barrier), though it is recognized the material can be anyother material suitable for the intended purpose and understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art. In one configuration, the flexible innervapor barrier layer 110 and the flexible outer layer 120 may bepolyester films commercially available under the mark MYLAR® of DupontTeijin Films U.S. Alternatively, it is contemplated at least one of theflexible inner vapor barrier layer 110 and the flexible outer layer 120may be formed of a 2 to 6 mil (thousandths of an inch) thickpolyethylene film. In one configuration, each of the flexible innervapor barrier layer and the flexible outer layer are formed of a 2 milMYLAR® film.

Further, the flexible inner vapor barrier layer 110 and the flexibleouter layer 120 are pliant, such that they conform to the shape of thebowling ball 140 in response to the weight of the bowling ball. That is,flexible inner vapor barrier layer 110 and the flexible outer layer 120easily bend and are typically as pliable as commercially availablealuminum foil. By flexible or conforming, it is intended to encompassbendable or pliant, such as able to be easily altered or change shape inresponse to the weight of the bowling ball 140.

The flexible inner vapor barrier layer 110 of the bowling ball enclosure100 may form an interior region 130 that receives the bowling ball 140.The flexible inner vapor barrier layer 110 and the flexible outer layer120 may be monolithic that resists tearing and assists in retaining thebowling ball 140 in the bowling ball enclosure 100. That is, each theflexible inner vapor barrier layer 110 and the flexible outer layer 120may be formed of a single integral piece, blank, of material. It isunderstood the blanks may include notches or cuts for forming into thedesired shape. The flexible inner vapor barrier layer 110 and theflexible outer layer 120 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 may also beconstructed to be sufficient to prevent tearing of the bowling ballenclosure 100 due to the weight of the bowling ball 140. In oneconfiguration, the bowling ball weighs between approximately 6 poundsand 16 pounds.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, in one configuration, at least one of theflexible inner vapor barrier layer 110 and the flexible outer layer 120may include a contiguous band of material 112, 122 respectively,extending from a top portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100through a bottom portion 150 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 to anopposing top portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100. Thecontiguous band of material 112, 122 may be configured to be free ofseams or joints, which could weaken the material of the bowling ballenclosure 100. Alternatively, it is understood there may not be acontiguous band of material free of seams if the width and strength ofthe heat seal, such as approximately 1/16 to ¼ inch, particularlylocated at the bottom portion of the enclosure 100 is sufficient tosupport the weight of a bowling ball weighing between 6 and 16 pounds.

When the blank is formed up, the resulting bowling bowl enclosure 100may include the bottom portion 150 and the top portion 160. The topportion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 may be positionable from afirst position to a second position to encapsulate the bowling ball 140in the interior region 130 of the bowling ball enclosure 100.

In the first position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the top portion 160 ofthe bowling ball enclosure 100 may be in an open position to receive thebowling ball 140 into the interior region 130 of the bowling ballenclosure 100. The top portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 mayhave a circumference that is greater than the circumference of thebowling ball 140 to receive the bowling ball 140 into the interiorregion 130 of the bowling ball enclosure 100.

In the second position, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, the top portion 160 ofthe bowling ball enclosure 100 may be in a closed position toencapsulate the bowling bowl 140 in the interior region 130 of thebowling ball enclosure 100. The top portion 160 of the bowling ballenclosure 100 may be folded towards the bottom portion 150 of thebowling ball enclosure 100 to decrease the amount of empty space in theinterior region 130 of the bowling ball enclosure 100.

The top portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 may be reinforcedwith a stiffener 170 that may support the top portion 160 of the bowlingball enclosure 100. The stiffener 170 may also be connected to at leastone of the inner layer 110 and the outer layer 120 of the bowling ballenclosure 100. In one configuration, the stiffener 170 is retainedbetween the inner layer 110 and the outer layer 120 in the top portion160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100. In one configuration, thestiffener 170 may have sufficient rigidity to retain the top portion 160of the bowling ball enclosure 100 in an open arrangement when thebowling ball enclosure 100 is in the first position, yet as set forthbelow, the stiffener 170 may be sufficiently bendable to substantiallyfollow the curve of the retained bowling ball 140. The stiffener 170 ofthe top portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 may be made ofplastic, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyurethane, or any othermaterial suitable for the intended purpose and understood by one orordinary skill in the art.

The bowling ball enclosure 100 may also include a flexible insulationlayer 180 intermediate the flexible inner vapor barrier layer 110 andthe flexible outer layer 120 of the bowling ball enclosure 100. As seenin FIG. 2, the flexible insulation layer 180 of the bowling ballenclosure 100 may have a top portion or edge 181 that may be spaced fromthe stiffener 170 by a sufficient distance such that a portion of theflexible insulation layer 180 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 may bewithin the folded top portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 inthe second position. That is, the thinner inner layer 110 and thinnerouter layer 120 can be folded over or rolled at least once withoutdisposing a portion of the flexible insulation layer 180 there betweenthen after the inner and outer layers 110, 120 have a fold over, thenext fold causes a portion of the flexible insulation layer 180 to bedisposed within the subsequent fold, thereby ensuring the entire bowlingball is encapsulated by the flexible insulation layer 180 as well as theflexible inner and outer layers 110, 120.

In one configuration, the material of the flexible insulation layer 180may be at least slightly compressible so that a portion of theinsulation layer can be captured within the folded portion of thebowling ball enclosure 100 in the second position. In addition, thematerial of the flexible insulation layer 180 may have a sufficient Rvalue to reduce the thermal stresses to the retained bowling ball 140that would otherwise impart cracking or induce plasticizer oil seepagein hot ambient temperatures during normal usage and storage of thebowling ball 140. A satisfactory material for the material of theflexible insulation layer 180 may include recycled denim insulation,also known as natural cotton fiber insulation, made from scraps, chunksand clippings from the manufacture of denim clothing. In someconfigurations, the natural cotton fiber insulation includes a resindistributed throughout the insulation, wherein the resin provides astructure and resiliency to the resulting product. The uncompressedthickness of the insulation layer is between approximately ¼″ and 1″.Another flexible insulation can be fiberglass matt, closed or open cellfoam, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the flexible insulation layer 180 can beformed by a rectangular sheet and a disk of insulation material. Therectangular sheet of insulation material may be rolled into a cylinderand joined along the longitudinal seam define an open top and an openbottom. The disk of insulation material may be joined to the cylinder ofinsulation material at the open bottom to form a closed end.

As seen in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the flexible insulation layer 180 caninclude cut outs 182 which provide for the insulation moving from afirst open position to a second closed position. In one configuration,the rectangular cut out may incorporate strategic removal in certainareas resembling triangles to minimizing overlapping of the insulationlayers while in the closed position. Thus, in the closed position, theinsulation layer does not create bulges from multiple overlapping layersof the insulation. Referring to FIGS. 3-5 and 11, the cut outs removesufficient amount of the insulation so that the insulation layer 180 canbe rolled about an axis extending between two sets of the cut outs.

The bowling ball enclosure 100 may further include releasable fasteners185, such as bottom releasable fasteners 190 that may be positioned onthe flexible outer layer 120 on the bottom portion 150 of the bowlingball enclosure 100. The bottom releasable fasteners 190 may be circularin shape, but may be any shape suitable for the intended purpose andunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The bowling ballenclosure 100 may also include top releasable fasteners 200 that may bepositioned on the top portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100. Thetop releasable fasteners 200 may be in the shape of a strip with a widthsimilar to the width of the stiffener 170, but may be any shape suitablefor the intended purpose and understood by one of ordinary skill in theart.

The top releasable fasteners 200 may be fastened to the bottomreleasable fasteners 190 when the bowling ball enclosure 100 is in thesecond position. The bottom releasable fasteners 190 and the topreleasable fasteners 200 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 may behook-and-loop fasteners or any other fastener suitable for the intendedpurpose and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

In a further configuration, seen in FIGS. 11A-11E, the closed positionof the bowling ball enclosure 100 includes a folded top, wherein thereleasable fastener 185, such as complementary hook and loop fastenersor snaps, is located at spaced locations along the top of the bowlingball enclosure. The top portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100may fold over itself, once or twice, and then opposing ends of thefolded section are brought towards each other across the top of thebowling ball 140 and the releasable fastener 185 is engaged to retainthe releasable fastener and the bowling ball enclosure in the closedposition. Thus, the bowling ball enclosure 100 is closed over the top ofthe enclosed bowling ball 140. In this position of the bowling ballenclosure 100, the insulation layer 180 encompasses at least 75% of thebowling ball 140 and referring to 10C over 90% of the bowling ball.

In some configurations, the bowling ball enclosure 100 may include atleast one aperture 210, such as a vent port, to allow the introductionand expulsion of air from the interior region 130 of the bowling ballenclosure when bowling ball enclosure 100 transitions from the firstposition to the second position or when the bowling ball is inserted orextracted from the bowling ball enclosure. The aperture 210 of thebowling ball enclosure 100 may be a grommet which effectively connectsthe inner vapor barrier layer, the insulation layer and the outer vaporbarrier layer. It is further contemplated, the vent port 210 may beformed in one of the releasable fasteners. The grommet can engage a loaddistributing washer (not shown) between the grommet and the adjacentinner layer 110 and/or outer layer 120, wherein the washer is a plastic,such as but not limited to polyethylene or nylon having a thickness ofapproximately 1 mm. The load distributing washer slightly conforms toshape of the grommet and is compressed into the material of theenclosure 100 so as to provide a contact barrier between the head of thegrommet and the enclosure, thereby reducing wear on the inner layer 110and/or the outer layer 120.

In one configuration, the vent port 210 is spaced from the bottomportion of the enclosure 100, such as the bottom 25% of the enclosure,where the weight of the bowling ball and conformity of the receptaclecauses the flexible inner vapor barrier to be is tight against theconcave shape of the bowling ball 140. This conformity of the enclosurewith the bowling ball 140 materially inhibits the movement of airbetween the flexible inner vapor barrier and the bowling ball, thusreducing passage of vapors through the vent port.

It is contemplated that locating the vent port 210 above a midpoint ofthe retained bowling ball 140 will permit the necessary ingress andegress of air to permit substantially unresisted movement of theenclosure from the open position to the closed position, as well asinsertion and extraction of the bowling ball 140 from the enclosure.

Alternatively, or additionally, the vent port 210 can be located along afold or pleat in the flexible inner vapor barrier 110, where the fold orpleat forms a channel for the passage of air. Thus, the enclosure can beconfigured to form a channel from the vent port to a spaced locationwithin the enclosure, upon the releasable fastener being disposed in theclosed position. For example, the vent port 210 may be located in theenclosure to be within the top third of the height of the bowling ballas retained within the enclosure, wherein the vent port may be centrallylocated relative to a vertical axis of the retained bowling ball orcircumferentially disposed.

In a further configuration, the venting of the enclosure 100 can beaccommodated by affixing the grommet to the insulation layer 180 and oneof the inner layer 110 and the outer layer 120, wherein the remainingone of the inner layer and the outer layer includes at least one and insome configurations a plurality of holes. For example, in theconfiguration having the grommet that secures the insulation layer 180to the outer layer 120, the inner layer 110 can include the plurality ofholes, wherein during closing the enclosure, the air passes through theholes in the inner layer 110, through the insulation layer and exits theouter layer through the grommet. While this accommodates the highpressure differential when inserting or extracting a bowling ball, theflow path is sufficiently tortuous and the apertures sufficiently smallthat transport of any vapors through the vent is effectively precluded.

It is also contemplated that in one configuration of the enclosure 100,the enclosure is free of vent ports 210. That is, the enclosure 100 maybe configured for limited use, such as within a shipping or packagingbox 240, wherein repeated withdrawn and insertion of the bowling ball isnot encountered, thus the need for the venting ports 210 is reduced.

In one configuration, the bottom releasable fasteners 190 may also be onopposing sides of the bottom portion 150 of the bowling ball enclosure100 such that opposing sides of the bottom portion 150 of the bowlingball enclosure 100 are fully supported in the second position. The topreleasable fasteners 200 may be on opposing sides of the top portion 160of the bowling ball enclosure 100 such that opposing sides of the topportion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 are fully supported in thesecond position.

The bowling ball enclosure 100 may also include grips 220 that may bepositioned on opposing sides of the outer layer 120 and below thestiffener 170 of the top portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100.The grips 220 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 may assist a user inholding the bowling ball enclosure 100 with one hand when the bowlingball enclosure 100 is in the second position. The grips 220 can beformed of patches of material bonded to the outer layer 120, wherein thematerial of the grips 220 may have a higher coefficient of friction thanthe material of the outer layer 120. In one configuration, the grips 220may be a thermoplastic elastomer. The bowling bowl enclosure 100 mayalso utilize one of the grips 220 to assist the user in positioning thetop portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 from the firstposition to the second position. In one configuration, the bowling ballenclosure 100 includes at least two grips 220 being positioned onopposing sides of the outer layer 120 and below the stiffener 170 of thetop portion of the bowling ball enclosure allowing for alternate foldingdirections, wherein the grips assist a user in holding the bowling ballenclosure when the bowling ball enclosure is closed about the bowlingball to encapsulate the bowling ball.

The bowling ball enclosure 100 defines a height and a width. In oneconfiguration, a center/midpoint of the bottom releasable fasteners 190of the bowling ball enclosure 100 may be positioned at or below themidpoint of the height of the bowling ball enclosure 100. In thisconfiguration, the bottom releasable fasteners 190 support the bowlingball enclosure 100 when held by the user in the second position. Thatis, by the bottom releasable fasteners 190 being engaged below themidpoint of the bowling ball 140 retained within the bowling ballenclosure 100, a portion of the weight of the bowling ball 140 may becarried by the folded material of the inner layer 110 and outer layer120, rather than by the layers alone. For example, in the secondposition, if the bottom releasable fasteners 190 of the bowling ballenclosure 100 are above the midpoint of the height of the bowling ballenclosure 100, the bowling ball enclosure 100 may have an increasedtendency to tear due to the tension caused by the weight of the bowlingball 140, or the releasable fasteners would not have enough retentionforce due to the angle of the force resulting from lifting the enclosureretaining the bowling ball.

However, as set forth above, the releasable fastener of the enclosuremay be position between the open position and the closed position suchthat the releasable fastener remains located above the bowling ball inthe enclosure. That is, the releasable fastener in the closed positionis on top of the bowling ball and thus there is no handle formed forcarrying the enclosed bowling ball 140.

As shown in FIG. 6, in one configuration of the system, the bowling ballenclosure 100 may further include or cooperate with a substantiallyincompressible thermal resistor in the configuration of either a bottomperforated circulating ring support 230 or an insulating disk or aninsulated contoured cup that may be positioned at the bottom portion 150of the bowling ball enclosure 100. Substantially incompressible includesa thermal resistor that compresses or increases in density by less than50%, and in some configurations less than 5%.

The bottom perforated circulating ring support 230 of the bowling ballenclosure 100 may be configured to position the bowling ball 140 in aparticular portion of the interior region 130 of the bowling ballenclosure 100. The bottom perforated circulating ring support 230 alsoallows the bowling ball 140 to be further separated from the ground orsupport surface to decrease the temperature difference between the topand bottom regions of the bowling ball 140. The bottom perforatedcirculating ring support 230 may be positioned on the outside of theouter layer 120 of the bowling ball enclosure 100.

The bottom perforated circulating ring support 230 of the bowling ballenclosure 100 may be made of a rigid and insulation material or anyother material suitable for the intended purpose and understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art. In select configurations, the bottomperforated circulating ring support 230 is polymeric including plastic,or rubber or thermoset. The bottom perforated circulating ring support230 may be permanently attached to the bowling ball enclosure 100 by anadhesive, stitching, sewing, stamping, or any other method suitable forthe intended purpose and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.It is further contemplated the bottom perforated circulating ringsupport 230 can be releasably connected to the bowling ball enclosure100 such as by hook and loop fasteners, engaging loops or strings. It isalso understood, the bottom perforated circulating ring support 230 canbe entirely separate from the bowling ball enclosure 100, wherein theuser can locate the bottom perforated circulating ring support 230within the bowling ball enclosure 100 when not in use and locate thebottom perforated circulating ring support 230 between the bowling ballenclosure 100 and the floor when in use.

It is further contemplated the bottom perforated circulating ringsupport 230 can be coupled to the bowling ball enclosure 100 by a tether280, such as a cord, a strap or a binding to preclude unintendedseparation of the bottom perforated circulating ring support from thebowling ball enclosure 100. The tether 280 can have a sufficient lengthto permit operable location of the bottom perforated circulating ringsupport 230 outside the bottom surface of the bowling ball enclosure 100and storage location within the bowling ball enclosure 100.

As seen in FIG. 8, the bottom perforated circulating ring support 230includes a plurality of apertures or passages 233 to permit an air flowbetween an interior of the bottom perforated circulating ring supportand an exterior of the bottom perforated circulating ring support. Thepassages 233 can have a closed periphery or be formed by recesses,slots, openings, or holes extending from a top and/or bottom edge of thebottom perforated circulating ring support. The slots can have a heightso that the slots extend more than half a height of the bottomperforated circulating ring support and thus the slots are offset.Alternatively, the slots can be vertically aligned and extend less thanhalf a height of the bottom perforated circulating ring support 230. Inone configuration, the passages 233 are sufficient to allow atemperature differential to form within a volume defined by the supportsurface, the bottom perforated circulating ring support 230 and thebottom of the bowling ball enclosure 100 that is positioned over and onthe bottom perforated circulating ring support. Without suchperforations or slots 233, the ring support would create a column of airthat is retained within the support, wherein the column of air directlytransfers the temperature of the ground or support surface to theflexible outer layer 120 of the bowling ball enclosure 100, which mayimpart a cracking of a bowling ball 140 retained within the bowling ballenclosure. However, the slots 233 are sufficient to create a convectionthrough the bottom perforated circulating ring support 230 to precludethe creation of a stagnant column of air.

In the configuration of the thermal resistor as an insulating disk orcup, the insulating disk or cup is free of apertures or passagewaysthrough the disk. That is, the insulating disk does not create astagnant column of air between the bottom of the enclosure and thefloor. Further, in the configuration of the thermal resistor as aninsulating disk, the insulating disk is sufficiently incompressible withrespect to the weight of the bowling ball to resist a compression whichwould reduce the R value of the insulating disk by more than 20%.

It is believed an advantage of the perforated circulating ring support230 is the reduced area of contact with the enclosure and hence reducedarea of compression of the flexible insulation layer 180. As someinsulations rely upon trapped air, a local compression of the insulationlayer can result in a local reduced R value of the flexible insulationlayer 180.

It is believed that in an equilibrium state, a temperature differentialbetween the two polar regions (250 and 260) of the bowling ball 140 canbe limited to approximately 3-4° F. by means of the bottom perforatedcirculating ring support vs. an approximately 5-10° temperaturedifferential using a solid non-perforated ring support. That is, it isbelieved that in one configuration in an equilibrium state, thetemperature differential between the two polar regions (250 and 260) canbe reduced by approximately 50% by means of the bottom perforatedcirculating ring support vs. the temperature differential with a solidnon-perforated ring support.

The bottom perforated circulating ring support 230 can have a heightfrom approximately 0.5 inches to approximately 5 inches, wherein in oneconfiguration the height is between approximately 0.75 inches and 1.5inches. The diameter of the bottom perforated circulating ring support230 can be between approximately 2 inches to 6 inches, wherein theheight and diameter of the bottom perforated circulating ring support230 are selected to provide for spacing of the bowling ball 140 orbowling ball enclosure 100 from any support surface by at least 0.2inches. It is noted that as the diameter of the bottom perforatedcirculating ring support 230 increases, the height of the bottomperforated circulating ring support must increase to maintain thedesired spacing from the support surface. The diameter and height of thebottom perforated circulating ring support 230 are selected forretaining the bowling ball enclosure and maintaining the necessarystability for the intended location of the bowling ball enclosure. Inone configuration, in order for the poles of the bowling ball 140 toremain within 3-4° F. of each other when placed on a surface that is 10°F. below the ambient air temperature, the bowling ball must be placed ona ½″ high and 2.5″ diameter bottom perforated circulating ring support230 to interrupt the thermal conductivity from the support surface aswell as compensate for the local compression of the insulation layer180.

The method of utilizing the bowling ball enclosure 100 to encase andreduce temperature fluctuations of the bowling ball 140 may includeproviding the bowling ball enclosure 100, inserting the bowling ball 140into the interior region 130 of the bowling ball enclosure 100, closingthe top portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 to encapsulate thebowling ball 140 in the interior region 130 of the bowling ballenclosure 100, folding the top portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure100 towards the bottom portion 150 of the bowling ball enclosure 100,thereby expelling the air from the interior region 130 of the bowlingball enclosure 100, and attaching the top releasable fasteners 200 toeach of the respective bottom releasable fasteners 190 of the bowlingball enclosure 100. As the bowling ball enclosure 100 is transitioned tothe second position, the absence of the insulation layer 180 adjacentthe stiffener, allows the folding of the inner and outer layers with thestiffener of at least 180 degrees and in select configurations toapproximately 270 degrees. From 270 degrees to 360 to 405 degrees, theupper portion of the insulation layer is then caught in the formed foldsand thus encases the retained bowling ball. That is when the bowlingball enclosure 100 is in the closed, second position, the insulationlayer 180 in one configuration, encompasses at least 75% of the surfacearea of the retained bowling ball, and in other configurations theinsulation layer encompasses at least 85% and in further configurationsthe insulation layer encompasses at least 95% and in some configurationsthe insulation layer encompasses 100% of the surface area of theretained bowling ball.

In a further configuration, the method of utilizing the bowling ballenclosure 100 to encase and reduce temperature fluctuations of thebowling ball 140 may include providing the bowling ball enclosure 100,inserting the bowling ball 140 into the interior region 130 of thebowling ball enclosure 100, closing the top portion 160 of the bowlingball enclosure 100 to encapsulate the bowling ball 140 in the interiorregion 130 of the bowling ball enclosure 100, folding a first section ofthe top portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 towards anopposing section of the top portion of the bowling ball enclosure 100,thereby expelling the air from the interior region 130 of the bowlingball enclosure 100, and attaching the top releasable fasteners 200 (orreleasable fastener 185) to retain the bowling ball enclosure 100 in theclosed position. As the bowling ball enclosure 100 is transitioned tothe second position, the local absence of the insulation layer 180 inthe top portion 160, allows the folding of the flexible inner vaporbarrier layer and flexible outer layer upon themselves, without anyintermediate insulation layer, in the top portion.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, in a further configuration, the bowlingball enclosure 100 is used to encase a bowling ball 140 in a typicalcommercially available packaging box. That is, in many instances a newbowling ball is disposed in a single layer plastic bag and then retainedwithin a cardboard cubic packaging box having an outer dimension ofapproximately 8.6 inches. The packaging box 240 has an openconfiguration wherein at least one flap, lid, 242 is located to permitpassage of the bowling ball 140 into and out of the box. It isunderstood the box 240 may include two, three or four flaps that aremoveable between the open configuration and the closed configuration ofthe box. The at least one flap 242 is then moved to a closed position toenclose the bowling ball 140 within the box. A fastener such as tape oradhesive can be used to retain the flap (or flaps) in the closedposition during shipment and presentation to the consumer.

The present bowling ball enclosure 100 can be used to encase the bowlingball 140 as the bowling ball is retained within the box 240, wherein theenclosure includes the folded over top portion 160 at the top of thebowling ball, and the enclosure is free of the stiffener. Thus, abowling ball kit is provided having the box 240 having an openconfiguration and a closed configuration, wherein the box in the closedconfiguration defines an interior cubic volume of less than 730 in³; thebowling ball 140 having a diameter between 8.500 inches (21.59 cm) to8.595 inches (21.83 cm); and the enclosure 100 enclosing the bowlingball, the enclosure having a flexible inner vapor layer, a flexibleouter layer and a flexible insulation layer intermediate the flexibleinner vapor barrier layer and the flexible outer layer, wherein theenclosure is configured to enclose the bowling ball and be enclosedwithin the box in the closed configuration of the box. The enclosure 100includes the releasable fasteners 185 which are moveable between an openposition (and open or first position of the enclosure) for receiving orremoving the bowling ball 140 and the closed position (and the second orclosed position of the enclosure) encapsulating the bowling ball. It iscontemplated the enclosure does not include the stiffener 170 in thisconfiguration, as volume of the enclosure is minimized to provide forretention within the box 240. However, by disposing the releasablefastener 185 and the correspondingly the enclosure 100 in the closedposition, the flexible inner vapor barrier layer 110 encompasses thebowling ball 140 and thereby reduces the evaporation of volatiles fromthe bowling ball, thereby preserving the as manufactured properties ofthe bowling ball.

Thus, the present system addresses current bowling balls formed ofreactive urethane resins which can render the balls prone to crackingdue to (i) rapid or uneven changes in the temperature of the ball as awhole and (ii) rapid or uneven changes in the temperatures between themultiple layers whereas the reactive urethane coverstock encases thecore and filler materials which is are made from different densitymaterials.

In addition, the present system addresses uneven temperatures that arepresented to the bowling ball 140 during storage on a floor, wherein thefloor has a temperature that is different from the ambient airtemperature. This temperature differential is typical of storage of thebowling ball in a hall, garage or basement, wherein the floortemperature is more than 6° F. colder than the ambient air temperature.

In addition, the present system assists in reducing the propensity ofreactive urethane resin balling balls to crack as the ball ages anddries out and also reduces the rate at which the bowling ball andparticularly the coverstock loses its factory fresh chemicals andplasticizers. The present system thereby preserves and extends themanufacturer's originally intended performance characteristics of thecoverstock's surface area engagement with the bowling lane surface.

The present design provides a number of advantages including (i) aconfiguration which provides for a compact encasing of the bowling ball140 so as to fit into most commercially available bowling ball bags aswell as providing efficient use of materials and manufacturing steps forcost efficiency; (ii) use of the vapor barrier material, such as Mylar®polyester film, for the inner and outer layer seals the bowling ballagainst resin evaporation thereby minimizing evaporative aging which caneventually lead to cracking—or making the bowling ball more susceptibleto cracking; (iii) the Mylar® film increasing resistance to solarradiation and heating; (iv) effective encapsulation of the retainedbowling ball with the insulation layer 180 sandwiched between in theinner and the outer layer 110, 120 such that as the bowling ballenclosure is moved to the second position, there are no material gaps inthe insulation surrounding the bowling ball, in addition the flexibleinsulation layer insures conformity to the spherical bowling ball aswell as uniformity of the temperature of the bowling ball around theentire spherical surface. The present structure reduces relative cold orhot spots that can lead to cracking if the temperature differentialexceeds approximately 5° F. or greater.

The present design and flexibility of the inner and outer layers 110,120 along with the insulation layer 180 offers easy insertion andremoval of the bowling ball 140 which is crucial for the convenience ofthe user.

In one configuration, the semi-rigid plastic stiffener 170 which can beused to connect or bond both inner and outer layers 110, 120 along thetop of the upper portion facilitates a mechanism for a quick and easysealing of the bowling ball enclosure 100 about the bowling ball 140.

In one configuration, the hook and look fasteners located at the endregions of the sealing strip attach to mating hook and look fastenerslocated below the center region of the bowling ball enclosure and arepositioned below an equator of the retained bowling ball to bear theweight of the balling ball and leverage the gripping angle of thefasteners.

In one configuration, the vent holes in the releasable fasteners allowfor venting of trapped air while allow for subsequently sealing uponbeing covered over by the mating releasable fasteners.

Further, the construction of the monolithic flexible inner vapor barrierlayer and outer flexible layers 110, 120 of the laminated film as setforth above allows for a vertically positioned non-sealed (includingheat sealed) strap or band of unbroken or seam free material within eachof the inner and outer layers to maximize the weight bearing ability ofthe bowling ball enclosure. It is anticipated the bowling ball may weighfrom approximately 6 pounds to 16 pounds. Thus, by having at least oneof the inner and outer layers 110, 120 define a continuous band ofmaterial to support the weight of the bowling ball, load carryingcapacity of any formed seams can be reduced by the design of therespective layer. To accomplish an almost equivalent load carryingcapacity, there may not be a contiguous band of material free of seamsif the width and strength of the heat seal portion, particularly locatedat the bottom portion of the enclosure 100, is sufficient to support theweight of a bowling ball weighing between 6 and 16 pounds.

In one configuration, the present system also provides a useful handleafter transitioning the closure from the first position to the secondposition, wherein the folded sections of the inner and outer layer inconjunction with the stiffener for the handle for ease of carrying. Theinclusion of the rubber strip grip reduces slipping during transport.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, commercially available bowling ball bags300 have many configurations, including single bowling ball, two bowlingball or multi-bowling ball and are often classified as one of tote,roller or roller-tote. The tote bowling ball bags are meant to becarried by a handle either on the shoulder or by the hand. The rollerbowling ball bags include at least one wheel and typically a wheel set310 and include the handle 312 configured for facilitating the rollingof the bowling ball bag. The roller-totes are typically sized to retaina plurality of bowling balls and in addition to the handle include atleast one wheel or wheel set upon which the bowling ball bag can roll.The handle in the roller or roller-totes can be flexible or rigid and issized for raising a portion of the loaded bowling ball bag so that thebowling ball bag pivots about the wheel(s) on the ground and can thus bepulled along as a rolling device. The roller and roller-totes 300 aretypically configured to be primarily transported in a rolling motion,thus the handle 312 is often rigid and in certain configurations can belocked in a given or predetermined position.

The bowling ball bag 300 has a closed end and an access port 330,wherein the access port is sized to pass at least one bowling ball 10and in certain configurations a plurality of bowling balls. The accessport 330 is moveable between an open position for passing the bowlingball 10 and a closed position. The access port 330 can be defined by anyof a variety of configurations such as flaps, panels or seams that moveto allow passage of at least one bowling ball to an interior of thebowling ball bag 300. The access port 330 is closable by any of avariety of closures 340, such as by not limited to zippers, hook andloop fasteners, clips, clasps or buckles. The bowling ball bag 300 thushas the inner surface and an outer surface. In addition, thecommercially available bowling ball bags include at least one paddinglayer 350 and at least one textile layer 360.

In one configuration, the bowling ball bag 300 is configured to includea vapor barrier layer 370.

The present configuration includes the vapor barrier layer 370 withinthe bowling ball bag 300, and in select configurations as the innerlayer of the bowling ball bag. The vapor barrier layer 370 can beattached to the bowling ball bag 300 by stitching, zippers, hook andloop fasteners, adhesives for bonding or fasteners, wherein thefasteners are typically formed of a plastic so as to reduce potentialdamage to the retained bowling ball. Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, whilethe vapor barrier layer 370 can be an intermediate layer in the bowlingball bag 300, in one configuration the vapor barrier layer is the innerlayer of the bowling ball bag and thus in certain configurations cancontact at least portions of the bowling ball retained within thebowling ball bag.

In one configuration, the vapor barrier layer 370 is added to anotherwise finished bowling ball bag 300. That is, an existing bowlingball bag 300 can be retrofit with the vapor barrier layer to locate thevapor barrier layer as an inner layer in the bowling ball bag.Alternatively, the vapor barrier layer 370 can be incorporated into thebowling ball bag 300 during the normal manufacturing process so as todefine the inner surface of the bowling ball bag or an intermediatelayer of the bowling ball bag. In one configuration, the vapor barrierlayer 370 forms the inner surface of the bowling ball bag 300.

In a further configuration, as seen in FIG. 18, the bowling ball bag 300is typically formed up from pattern cut layers of fabric and padding,the vapor barrier layer 370 can be similarly pattern cut andincorporated into the existing stitching or forming process of thebowling ball bag. As seen in FIGS. 16 and 17, the vapor barrier layer370 can thus define the inner layer of the bowling ball bag 300, anintermediate layer of the bowling ball bag or the outside layer of thebowling ball bag. In those configurations in which the vapor barrierlayer 370 is the polymer film, it may be advantageous for the vaporbarrier layer to be the intermediate layer in the bowling ball bag 300where the vapor barrier layer is protection from incidental damage.

While the vapor barrier layer 370 can be incorporated anywhere withinthe layered construction of the bowling ball bag 300 (travel bag), it isbelieved optimal to locate the vapor barrier layer as the innermostlayer of the interior of the bowling ball bag (travel bag). If the vaporbarrier layer 370 is not the layer nearest to the bowling ball 10, thenthe padding, cloth, fabric of the bowling ball bag (travel bag) mayallow for undesired absorption of the resin solvents, softeners,plasticizers, resin chemicals, resin vapors, and oils (volatiles) by thepadding and/cloth prior to being blocked by the vapor barrier layer.That is, the volatiles from the bowling ball 10 would pass into andthrough any padding and cloth layers 350, 360 prior to being blocked bythe vapor barrier layer 370 such that the padding and cloth layers wouldhave an absorbing effect thereby allowing for more evaporation of thevolatiles from the ball as opposed to the vapor barrier layer being thenearest layer to the bowling ball 10.

The vapor barrier layer 370 can be configured to have a shapecorresponding to the bowling ball bag 300 and thus is received withinthe bowling ball bag and can be secured in place. Because of therelative flexibility and thickness of the vapor barrier layer 370, it isunderstood the vapor barrier layer need not be self-supporting orprovide impact resistance. Rather, the vapor barrier layer 370 can beflexible, wherein the remainder of the bowling ball bag providessecurement of the bowling ball 10. Alternatively, the vapor barrierlayer can have a shape that is independent of the bowling ball bag 300.However, as the vapor barrier 370 need not be self-supporting, theindependent shape of the vapor barrier layer can complicate theinsertion and extraction of a bowling ball from vapor barrier layer.

In one configuration, the vapor barrier layer 370 is coexistent with theinner surface of the bowling ball bag 300. That is, the vapor barrierlayer 370 moves as the access port 330 moves between the open positionand the closed position and thus the vapor barrier layer encloses thebowling ball 10 only when the access port is moved to the closedposition. The closure 340 retains the access port 330 in the closedposition and hence the vapor barrier layer 370 in the closed position.

In a further configuration, the vapor barrier layer 370 is partlyindependent of the bowling ball bag 300 such that the vapor barrierlayer can be in a closed position encompassing the bowling ball 10 or anopen position providing access to the bowling ball independent of theaccess port of the bowling ball bag being in the closed position or theopen position. In this construction, with the access port 330 of thebowling ball bag 300 in the open position, the vapor barrier layer 370can be closed about the bowling ball to encompass the bowling ball. Inthis configuration, only a portion of the vapor barrier layer 370 isconnected to the inside of the bowling ball bag 300. This portion of thevapor barrier layer 370 connected to the bowling ball bag 300 issufficient to retain the vapor barrier layer in an operableconfiguration to receive the bowling ball. The vapor barrier layer 370has a second separate or independent closure than the first closure ofthe access port 330 of the bowling ball bag 300, such that the bowlingball 10 can be encompassed with the vapor barrier layer and the vaporbarrier layer retained in the closed position, with the bowling ball bagaccess port being in the open position. The closure for the vaporbarrier layer 370 can include, but is not limited to, zippers, snaps,hook and loop fasteners, releasable adhesives as well as clasps orfolds.

It is further contemplated that for those bowling ball bags 300 sized toretain a plurality of bowling balls, each retained bowling ball 10 maybe located within a common vapor barrier layer 370 or that each retainedbowling ball is encompassed within a separately closable vapor barrierlayer. That is, the number of closures for the vapor barrier layer 370may be one for a plurality of bowling balls or may be equal to thenumber of bowling balls to be retained with the bowling ball bag.

The necessary strength and any intended impact resistance can beprovided by the bowling ball bag 300, wherein the vapor barrier layer370 merely provides for the relatively high concentration of the resinchemicals, plasticizers and resin vapors, thereby reducing theevaporation rate of the resin chemicals, plasticizers and resin vaporsof the retained bowling ball 10—thereby reducing the evaporative agingof the bowling ball. As set forth above, it is believed that reducingthe evaporative aging process of the bowling ball 10 maintains thefactory new durometer specification of the bowling ball, therebyretaining the ability of the bowling ball to withstand polar temperaturedifferentials without cracking and prolonging the bowling ball'soriginal performance properties.

In one configuration, the vapor barrier is a polyester based film suchas Mylar® by Dupont Teijin Films U.S. having the properties of:

Physical Properties Metric English Comments Density 1.40 g/cc 0.0506lb/in³ Average value for Mylar ® films. Moisture Vapor 0.700 cc-mm/m²-24hr-atm 1.78 cc-mil/100 in²-24 hr-atm ASTM E96 Procedure E TransmissionWater Vapor 40.0 g/m²/day 2.58 g/100 in²/day ASTM E96 Procedure ETransmission Oxygen  2.10 cc-mm/m²-24 hr-atm 5.33 cc-mil/100 in²-24hr-atm or 125 cc/m²-24hr-atm Transmission for the film. ASTM D3985Thickness 17.0 microns 0.669 mil

Thus, the vapor barrier 370 can have at least one of a moisture vaportransmission between approximately 0.5 and 0.9 cc-mm/m²-24 hr-atm, awater vapor transmission between 28 g to 51 g/mm2/day, and an oxygentransmission between 1.6 cc and 2.7 cc-mm/m²-24 hr-atm. In oneconfiguration, the vapor barrier layer 370 encompasses any bowling ball10 retained with the bowling ball bag 300. That is, it is recognized thearea of the closure, such as along the length of a zipper, may notinclude the vapor barrier layer. However, for purposes of the presentdescription, it is understood the term encompass includes suchconstructions in which there may be de minimus gaps in the vapor barrierlayer. That is, the vapor barrier extends or covers at least 80% and infurther configurations at least 90% and in still further configurationsat least 95% of the bowling ball bag.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference toa present preferred embodiment, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the disclosure. The presently disclosed embodiments are thereforeconsidered in all respects to the illustrative and not restrictive. Thescope of the disclosure is indicated by the appended claims, and allchanges that come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereofare intended to be embraced therein.

It is appreciated that certain features of the disclosure, which are,for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may alsobe provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures of the disclosure, which are, for brevity, described in thecontext of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or inany suitable sub combination.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bowling ball bag assembly comprising: (a) abowling ball bag having a closed end and an access port, the access portsized to pass a bowling ball and moveable between an open position forpassing the bowling ball and a closed position, the bowling ball baghaving an inner surface and an outer surface; (b) a handle connected tothe bowling ball bag; and (c) a vapor barrier layer located within thebowling ball bag, the vapor barrier layer configured to encompass thebowling ball in the closed position of the access port.
 2. The bowlingball bag assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one wheelrotatably connected relative to the bowling ball bag.
 3. The bowlingball bag assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle is retractable.
 4. Thebowling ball bag assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle is moveablebetween a retracted position and an extended position.
 5. The bowlingball bag assembly of claim 1, wherein the vapor barrier layer isstitched to the bowling ball bag.
 6. The bowling ball bag assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the vapor barrier layer defines an inner surface of thebowling ball bag.
 7. The bowling ball bag assembly of claim 1, whereinthe vapor barrier layer defines an inner surface of the bowling ball bagfor contacting the bowling ball retained within the bowling ball bag. 8.The bowling ball bag assembly of claim 1, wherein the vapor barrierlayer is bonded to the bowling ball bag.
 9. The bowling ball bagassembly of claim 1, wherein the vapor barrier layer is a polyester. 10.The bowling ball bag assembly of claim 1, wherein the vapor barrierlayer is polyethylene.
 11. The bowling ball bag assembly of claim 1,wherein the vapor barrier layer is a polyester, biaxially-orientedpolyethylene terephthalate.
 12. The bowling ball bag assembly of claim1, further comprising a closure for retaining the access port in aclosed position.
 13. The bowling ball bag assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising a first closure for retaining the bowling ball bag in theclosed position and a second closure for retaining the vapor barrierlayer in a closed position, such the vapor barrier layer encompasses aretained bowling ball.
 14. The bowling ball bag assembly of claim 1,wherein the access port is sized to pass a plurality of bowling balls.